Nigerian government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to intervene in the ongoing misunderstanding between Victor Osimhen and club Napoli SSC npflupdates.com reports.
Napoli earlier this week through a TikTok video (now deleted) trolled Victor Osimhen for missing a penalty kick during a Serie A game against Bologna.
Also read:Â Osimhen Set To Take Legal Action Against Napoli Over TikTok Video
The video before it was deleted generated a lot of reactions from football lovers round the world. And it prompted Osimhen to delete almost every picture and videos related to Napoli on his Instagram handle.
The Nigerian was included in the Napoli squad for a Serie A clash against Udinese Calcio on Wednesday. As expected by supporters, he ended his 4-match goal drought by scoring in; sadly, he didn’t celebrate the goal.
And in order to douse the rising tension, Napoli released a statement yesterday. According to the statement, the video was never intended to “offend or mock Victor Osimhen, who is a treasure” of the club.
“Calcio Napoli, wishing to avoid any exploitation of the issue, point out that we never wanted to offend or mock Victor Osimhen, who is a treasure of this club,” the statement read.
“As proof of that, during the summer training retreat, the Club firmly rebuffed every offer that was received for the striker’s transfer abroad.
“Social media, in particular TikTok, has always used an expressive form of language with a light heart and creativity, without wanting to, as in the case with Osimhen as protagonist, have any intention of insult or derision.”
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Further, the club revealed that if the former Olympique Lille forward “perceived any offence towards him, this was not what the club intended.”
Reacting to the ongoing misunderstanding, Nigeria’s Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, highlighted that the government of the day is already in talks with Italy over the issue.
Nigerian Government intervenes for Victor Osimhen over Napoli feud
“Over the past weekend, the news coming out of Napoli concerning Super Eagles player -Victor Osimhen saddened me greatly. The travails of Tobi Amusan have been no less so—the reason I made efforts to reach her directly last week,” Enoh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“My office is trying to reach Victor Osimhen directly as well to understand first-hand the issues. We are committed to establishing the facts of the matter.
“Meanwhile, I am in touch with the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar and the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Italy, Ambassador Mfawa Abam.
“Together, we are employing Diplomatic avenues with Italy for a more proper approach to looking into the matter as it is.”
Further, Enoh agreed that under the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, they are committed to ensuring our “sportsmen and women are accorded the respect they deserve and are not exposed to any injustice.”
Also read:Â Osimhen Scores For Napoli, Fails To Celebrate As Garcia Confirms Important Discussion
“Upon assumption of office, I made it abundantly clear, in words and deeds, that the welfare of our athletes, be they home-based or international-based, would be our topmost priority as we create the environment that enables and ensures their continued success.”
